The Devout
While to outsiders Priests of Arkay may appear to only serve as those that prepare and watch over the dead, there are those among the priesthood who are trained to fight those that desecrate the fallen, and to return the dead to their rest.
Having been chosen for this task shortly after joining the priesthood the Devout spent years training in the talents required for her task. After completing her training she was sent to Skyrim to use what she had been taught to return the provinces many dead to rest and to slay any who would seek to take advantage of the war that leaves its many forts covered in those that have died to achieve their goals.
The Build
Race: Imperial; the bonuses to block and one handed are helpful, and the racial power Voice of the Emperor can be life saving when faced with a large group of foes, but the true reason this race was chosen was the +10 to restoration that they receive at the very start which allows for the first two perks gained to be put straight into making the character capable of casting turn lesser undead.
Stone: Lady
Major Skills: Restoration, One Handed and Conjuration.
Minor Skills: Block, Alchemy and Light Armour.
Apparel: Amulet of Arkay, Chitin Armour, Boots and Bracers. Even though this combo provides little protection it does leave her light on her feet allowing her to dart in and out of her opponents reach when in combat. Should her foe manage to land a strike the small amount of armour she does have will help with lessening the damage taken allowing her to keep on her feet and cast a healing spell to bring her back to peak fighting condition.
Weapons: The Silver Sword. While Dawnbreaker is arguably a better weapon for dealing with the undead; I felt that the cost of souls to power its effect did not fit a character whose goal is to return the undead to rest. To offset the Silver Sword's inability to improved and the lack of enchantments caused by a refusal to use the souls of the dead, the Devout turns to Alchemy to boost her sword's damage in battle. Be it either poisons for use against her living foes or fortifying potions for when she is faced with those that have been raised.
Spells: Turn Undead Spells, Healing Spells, Lesser Ward, Conjure Atronachs, Stendarr’s Aura
Shouts: Unrelenting Force, Disarm, Slow Time
The Character
Let’s start with the obvious, as a priest of Arkay the Devout sees both life and death as being sacred and as -----such her main goal is to return the dead to their eternal rest and also put a stop to those that would exploit the dead for their own gain; due to this she spends much of her time delving into Nordic ruins to free the dead trapped in service within, or hunting down those mages who have resorted to raising the dead to achieve their own goals.
As a part of her training, to better understand her foes she was instructed in the art of -conjuration so that if need be she could use there knowledge against them. While other members of her order may see conjuration as something that is inherently evil, she see it for what it is; a tool, and a tool is neither good nor evil it is the person that wields it that carries these labels. With this in mind she uses her knowledge of conjuration to turn her enemies tool against them in the form of her summoned atronachs. Even though she may willing use this school of magic she holds fast to her ideals and refuses to turn to the dead for aid in her fight, unless she sink to the depths of those she hunts.
While she does prefer to deal with the problem at the source she does know that there are other ways to foil a Necromancer’s plans. For example if there are no corpses for them to raise then they cannot profane the sanctity of the death, and what is the biggest source of dead in Skyrim upon her arrival? The Civil War. Now here is where she has to make a decision does she take part in the war to bring it to an end or does she refuse to partake in the conflict that holds Skyrim in its grasp?
By taking part in the war she brings it to an end therefore cutting off the mass source of dead that can be raised and also gains access to a word of power, but at the cost of directly contributing to the deaths of many of the men and women of Skyrim. Or by not getting involved she can remained focused on her task without contributing to needless slaughter, at the cost of the word of power and leaving a source of dead for her foes to raise.
Gameplay
The Devout spends most of her time hunting the undead of Skyrim and this is where the Silver Sword gets to shine, thanks to its bonus effect it transforms from being one of the weaker blades in the game to
a sword capable of killing a Master Vampire with ease. The damage of her sword can be further boosted should she need it by drink a potion of Swordsman's Compromise which at later levels has the potential to double her swords damage without the extra effect. And with the use of the various turn undead spells available in the game; any undead affected instantly turn from a potential threat into something you can deal with at your convenience.
For this part I give thanks to the developers for while there are those undead that are unaffected by your restoration spells, they are still affected by the knockback from being hit by them. What this means is that as you level and gain access to stronger turn undead spells the weaker ones remain as a crucial part of your arsenal against the undead; when I was faced with a Draugr Deathlord or other powerful undead that was resistant to my spells, I would simply switch to turn lesser undead and using the knockback effect from the spell I would be able to attack without worrying about retaliation.
Unfortunately some opponents that you face will be of the living and as such unaffected by your restoration spells and the bonus damage of your sword; luckily this is where your mastery over block and alchemy truly comes into their own. Through the use of various potions the Devout is able to increase her damage output, increase the number of spells she can cast or even strengthen her very flesh allowing her to take increased amounts of damage for a short time. While these potions can be life saving they also carry risks of their own, for in exchange of increasing one aspect of her fighting still they weaken another. By taking the quick reflexes perk in the block tree she is capable of completely avoiding the more damaging attacks of her opponents or should she choose she can take the opening created by this perk to bash the hilt of her sword into her opponent's face causing damage and possibly forcing them to drop their weapon all while stumbling backwards from the force of the blow.
Due to her low armour rating she is especially vulnerable when faced with multiple opponents as while she focuses on dodging one she will be left open to attacks from the others. In this sort of situation she can use her summons and possibly a follower to act as distractions to take some of the attention off of herself allowing her to focus on one or two opponents at a time. Having a follower or summon act like this also has the added bonus of them dealing damage to those that attack them, aiding the Devout in her mission.
Potions
Swordsman’s Compromise
Canis Root + Rock Warbler Egg + Spider Egg = Fortify Marksman + Fortify One Handed + Damage Stamina
After several field tests it would seem that this mixture bolsters the strength of my swings, unfortunately it also seems place a strain on my body causing me to tire more quickly when used. I’ll have to be careful about using this.
Brute’s Charge
Boar Tusk + Chaurus Eggs + Hanging Moss = Fortify Health + Fortify Stamina + Damage Magicka
Upon having drunk this mixture I instantly felt a mass of energy welling within me, I felt as though I could have run from Solitude to Riften without stopping and yet I was having trouble thinking, my mind felt clouded. I’ll need to test this further before I can be sure but I believe that it may have hindered my use of magic for its duration.
Scholar’s Gamble
Jazbay Grapes + Salt Pile + Tundra Cotton = Fortify Magicka + Fortify Magicka Regen + Weakness to Magic
Drinking this caused me to feel as though I was overflowing with magicka; egged on by this feeling of power I challenged one of the other apprentices to a sparring match. With the deeper pool of magicka I had gained I was easily able to hold her off with my wards; in what I think was desperation she channelled all of her magicka into a single spell that shattered my ward when it struck and then caught me in the side. Where there should have only been a burn my flesh had been ripped open; thankfully I was able to seal the wound but I think I’ll have to be careful around mages when using this.
Last Stand
Juniper Berries + Luna Moth Wing + Skeever Tail = Fortify Health Regen + Fortify Light Armor + Damage Stamina Regen
I’m not sure what to think of this potion; it seems to harden flesh, while also drastically increasing the rate at which wounds heal in exchange for most of my energy. If used in the right situation I suppose it could be useful, but what that situation is I have no idea.
When I was unable to craft the complete potions, I was perfectly fine with making them with one less positive effect; for example when I was out of Rock Warbler Eggs I would make a potion with only the Canis Root and Spider Egg, giving me a potion of fortify marksman and damage stamina.
Likes: (Ning) 33 + Displayed
The Devout
While to outsiders Priests of Arkay may appear to only serve as those that prepare and watch over the dead, there are those among the priesthood who are trained to fight those that desecrate the fallen, and to return the dead to their rest.
Having been chosen for this task shortly after joining the priesthood the Devout spent years training in the talents required for her task. After completing her training she was sent to Skyrim to use what she had been taught to return the provinces many dead to rest and to slay any who would seek to take advantage of the war that leaves its many forts covered in those that have died to achieve their goals.
The Build
Race: Imperial; the bonuses to block and one handed are helpful, and the racial power Voice of the Emperor can be life saving when faced with a large group of foes, but the true reason this race was chosen was the +10 to restoration that they receive at the very start which allows for the first two perks gained to be put straight into making the character capable of casting turn lesser undead.
Stone: Lady
Major Skills: Restoration, One Handed and Conjuration.
Minor Skills: Block, Alchemy and Light Armour.
Apparel: Amulet of Arkay, Chitin Armour, Boots and Bracers. Even though this combo provides little protection it does leave her light on her feet allowing her to dart in and out of her opponents reach when in combat. Should her foe manage to land a strike the small amount of armour she does have will help with lessening the damage taken allowing her to keep on her feet and cast a healing spell to bring her back to peak fighting condition.
Weapons: The Silver Sword. While Dawnbreaker is arguably a better weapon for dealing with the undead; I felt that the cost of souls to power its effect did not fit a character whose goal is to return the undead to rest. To offset the Silver Sword's inability to improved and the lack of enchantments caused by a refusal to use the souls of the dead, the Devout turns to Alchemy to boost her sword's damage in battle. Be it either poisons for use against her living foes or fortifying potions for when she is faced with those that have been raised.
Spells: Turn Undead Spells, Healing Spells, Lesser Ward, Conjure Atronachs, Stendarr’s Aura
Shouts: Unrelenting Force, Disarm, Slow Time
The Character
Let’s start with the obvious, as a priest of Arkay the Devout sees both life and death as being sacred and as -----such her main goal is to return the dead to their eternal rest and also put a stop to those that would exploit the dead for their own gain; due to this she spends much of her time delving into Nordic ruins to free the dead trapped in service within, or hunting down those mages who have resorted to raising the dead to achieve their own goals.
As a part of her training, to better understand her foes she was instructed in the art of -conjuration so that if need be she could use there knowledge against them. While other members of her order may see conjuration as something that is inherently evil, she see it for what it is; a tool, and a tool is neither good nor evil it is the person that wields it that carries these labels. With this in mind she uses her knowledge of conjuration to turn her enemies tool against them in the form of her summoned atronachs. Even though she may willing use this school of magic she holds fast to her ideals and refuses to turn to the dead for aid in her fight, unless she sink to the depths of those she hunts.
While she does prefer to deal with the problem at the source she does know that there are other ways to foil a Necromancer’s plans. For example if there are no corpses for them to raise then they cannot profane the sanctity of the death, and what is the biggest source of dead in Skyrim upon her arrival? The Civil War. Now here is where she has to make a decision does she take part in the war to bring it to an end or does she refuse to partake in the conflict that holds Skyrim in its grasp?
By taking part in the war she brings it to an end therefore cutting off the mass source of dead that can be raised and also gains access to a word of power, but at the cost of directly contributing to the deaths of many of the men and women of Skyrim. Or by not getting involved she can remained focused on her task without contributing to needless slaughter, at the cost of the word of power and leaving a source of dead for her foes to raise.
Gameplay
The Devout spends most of her time hunting the undead of Skyrim and this is where the Silver Sword gets to shine, thanks to its bonus effect it transforms from being one of the weaker blades in the game to a sword capable of killing a Master Vampire with ease. The damage of her sword can be further boosted should she need it by drink a potion of Swordsman's Compromise which at later levels has the potential to double her swords damage without the extra effect. And with the use of the various turn undead spells available in the game; any undead affected instantly turn from a potential threat into something you can deal with at your convenience.
For this part I give thanks to the developers for while there are those undead that are unaffected by your restoration spells, they are still affected by the knockback from being hit by them. What this means is that as you level and gain access to stronger turn undead spells the weaker ones remain as a crucial part of your arsenal against the undead; when I was faced with a Draugr Deathlord or other powerful undead that was resistant to my spells, I would simply switch to turn lesser undead and using the knockback effect from the spell I would be able to attack without worrying about retaliation.
Unfortunately some opponents that you face will be of the living and as such unaffected by your restoration spells and the bonus damage of your sword; luckily this is where your mastery over block and alchemy truly comes into their own. Through the use of various potions the Devout is able to increase her damage output, increase the number of spells she can cast or even strengthen her very flesh allowing her to take increased amounts of damage for a short time. While these potions can be life saving they also carry risks of their own, for in exchange of increasing one aspect of her fighting still they weaken another. By taking the quick reflexes perk in the block tree she is capable of completely avoiding the more damaging attacks of her opponents or should she choose she can take the opening created by this perk to bash the hilt of her sword into her opponent's face causing damage and possibly forcing them to drop their weapon all while stumbling backwards from the force of the blow.
Due to her low armour rating she is especially vulnerable when faced with multiple opponents as while she focuses on dodging one she will be left open to attacks from the others. In this sort of situation she can use her summons and possibly a follower to act as distractions to take some of the attention off of herself allowing her to focus on one or two opponents at a time. Having a follower or summon act like this also has the added bonus of them dealing damage to those that attack them, aiding the Devout in her mission.
Potions
Swordsman’s Compromise
Canis Root + Rock Warbler Egg + Spider Egg = Fortify Marksman + Fortify One Handed + Damage Stamina
After several field tests it would seem that this mixture bolsters the strength of my swings, unfortunately it also seems place a strain on my body causing me to tire more quickly when used. I’ll have to be careful about using this.
Brute’s Charge
Boar Tusk + Chaurus Eggs + Hanging Moss = Fortify Health + Fortify Stamina + Damage Magicka
Upon having drunk this mixture I instantly felt a mass of energy welling within me, I felt as though I could have run from Solitude to Riften without stopping and yet I was having trouble thinking, my mind felt clouded. I’ll need to test this further before I can be sure but I believe that it may have hindered my use of magic for its duration.
Scholar’s Gamble
Jazbay Grapes + Salt Pile + Tundra Cotton = Fortify Magicka + Fortify Magicka Regen + Weakness to Magic
Drinking this caused me to feel as though I was overflowing with magicka; egged on by this feeling of power I challenged one of the other apprentices to a sparring match. With the deeper pool of magicka I had gained I was easily able to hold her off with my wards; in what I think was desperation she channelled all of her magicka into a single spell that shattered my ward when it struck and then caught me in the side. Where there should have only been a burn my flesh had been ripped open; thankfully I was able to seal the wound but I think I’ll have to be careful around mages when using this.
Last Stand
Juniper Berries + Luna Moth Wing + Skeever Tail = Fortify Health Regen + Fortify Light Armor + Damage Stamina Regen
I’m not sure what to think of this potion; it seems to harden flesh, while also drastically increasing the rate at which wounds heal in exchange for most of my energy. If used in the right situation I suppose it could be useful, but what that situation is I have no idea.
When I was unable to craft the complete potions, I was perfectly fine with making them with one less positive effect; for example when I was out of Rock Warbler Eggs I would make a potion with only the Canis Root and Spider Egg, giving me a potion of fortify marksman and damage stamina.
Likes: (Ning) 33 + Displayed
